Page 8 of Liberty

Almost all of them were incredibly attractive. Fit, well-dressed, made up and hair styled.

Not many of them were as average as me.

I grabbed a plate of food—a hot dog, pasta salad, chips—and found Kylee sitting on a beach blanket. She smiled at me.

“So have you seen the hot surfer?” she asked.

Did she have to lead in with that?

“I—I haven’t looked for him.”

“Why not? He’s obviously super into you.”

I rolled my eyes. “Maybe I want to have fun without a guy.”

“Why not do both? You can have fun reading, and you can also hook up with somebody.”

But I didn’t want to hook up.

I wanted something a little more substantial.

I wanted what I’d had with Ryan, before things went south.

Kylee read the look on my face clearly. She shook her head. “No, no, no. Don’t start thinking about him, Libby. He’s a jerk. He’s a jerk and he’ll just hurt you again.”

“I just…I want a boyfriend. Not a fling or a hookup.”

She sighed. “Well, then just have fun. Okay? If you want to hang out with him. No pressure.”

No pressure.

That sounded nice.

“Okay, we’ll see. I’m not gonna go looking for anything.”

Kylee smiled. “Just have fun. And quit thinking about your dickhead ex!”

I laughed.

She was right about that part, at least. I had to quit thinking about Ryan.

* * * * *

An hour or so later, the party was still going strong.

Kylee and I had eaten a few plates and had a few beers. I felt warm, a little loose. The live band they’d hired was playing good music. People were talking, laughing, dancing.

Kylee had been asked to dance by a handsome guy with a Spanish accent. I stood at the edge of the floor, watching her and swaying to the music.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned.

Cooper. He was wearing jeans and a t-shirt, but he made it look nice.

He smiled at me. “Glad you made it.”

“Oh, yeah. It’s a great party!”

He grinned. “Really?”

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